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Ex-Cat Cameron Mooney previously toldMoney Talks thatthe Cats should do everything possible to retain the 24-year-old,who he believes has All-Australian upside.
Why trading No.1 pick might be wrong call
The man coaching Western Australia’s top teenage footballers has warned the Eagles to do their research before making the titanic decision on whether to trade this year’s No.1 pick.
Ex-North Melbourne development manager Ben Dyer,who is overseeing the Sandgropers in the AFL under-18 championships,watched Harley Reid – consensus the best player in this year’s draft – dominate against his team in Perth last Friday night.
Reid amassed an equal-game-high 26 disposals,10 marks,five clearances and four inside 50s for Victoria Country,as well as kicking two goals from five scoring shots. That followed him gathering 19 disposals against WA last year.
“If you’re West Coast,it will be tough to overlook Harley Reid,” Dyer toldMoney Talks.
“He played against us last year,and was terrific as a bottom-ager. He’s got so much class and power,and he imposed himself on the game the other night as well.
“I’m no list manager,but if you’re going to split[the top pick] for local kids;you would want to make sure the local kids are going to get there at the picks you end up with.
“So,if it’s[top WA prospect Daniel] Curtin,you need to figure out how high he will go. If you split the pick,does it mean you still get him? That’s what the discussion will be around.”
The Eagles trail second-from-bottom North Melbourne by a game and almost 20 per cent,and are considered the club most likely to finish last. They split the No.2 selection last year to bring in two first-rounders instead,which they used on local products Reuben Ginbey and Elijah Hewett.
‘Dynamic’ son of ex-Cat making an impression
West Australian young gun Daniel Curtin’s strong start to the AFL under-18 championships has placed him firmly in the top-five draft mix,according to recruiters who spoke toMoney Talks.
Curtin was always considered a first-round lock but his performance in his much-hyped showdown with Allies future star Jed Walter – despite the Gold Coast academy prospect booting three goals – further endeared him,as have his midfield forays.
The 195-centimetre utility made an impression as an onballer at his WAFL club Claremont,and has been exposed there in the championships,too,racking up 26 touches,13 contested possessions and six clearances against South Australia.
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“His midfield stuff is very recent,” WA coach Ben Dyer said.
“He’s a bigger body,a nice left-foot kick,quite evasive for a big kid,and can get inside to outside pretty well. He’s always been thought of as a key defender ... so you’re speculating a bit on how effective he could be as an inside mid at the next level,but he has little traits that suggest he would be able to do it.”
Curtin is as good as certain to be the first West Australian called out in November,but ruckman Mitch Edwards,running defender and state captain Riley Hardeman,midfielder-forward Koltyn Tholstrup and onballer Clay Hall all have admirers.
Hall is the son of ex-Cat Derek,but is not father-son eligible. Only Allies midfielders and top-10 locks Colby McKircher and Ryley Sanders are averaging more disposals than Hall’s 28,which he is complementing with seven clearances and five inside 50s.
“He’s not as exposed as some others,but his form at[WAFL] Colts level,and even senior level,has been very strong – and he’s played three really good games[at the championships],” Dyer said of Hall.
“He’s dynamic,his ability to go from inside to outside is strong,when he’s got time he uses the ball pretty well,and he has definitely measured up against the better kids.”
Small defender Oscar Hine-Baston’s stocks are also rising,while crafty forward Koen Sanchez is another who is around the mark.
Familiar names galore
AFL recruiters spent the past couple of days on the Gold Coast watching the next wave of future stars in the national development championships for under-16 boys.
South Australia’s Dyson Sharp and Victoria Metro’s Oliver Greeves – both midfielders in the mould of Gold Coast gun Noah Anderson – are among the top prospects,but there are also a bunch of players with famous surnames.
Jeff White’s 16-year-old son Kalani turned heads playing at full-back for Gold Coast’s Academy,while Mick McGuane’s son Thomas,Jade Gresham’s brother Tyson,Troy Longmuir’s son Taj,and Bodhi Uwland’s brother Zeke also played.
White,who is already 197 centimetres tall and super athletic like his No.1 pick dad,is father-son eligible for Melbourne but also tied to the Suns,so a fight to sign him looms.
The ex-Demon’s twin sons,Kai and Tahj,are also showing promise in the under-12s,including the former being selected for the state team.